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Job Summary

Responsible and accountable for the 24-hour management of a nursing department. The responsibilities include staff development, retention, performance improvement, and fiscal accountability.  Provides the standards for quality of care and clinical practice and holds staff accountable.  Collaborates with other FH departments and Medical Staff to provide a multidisciplinary approach to improving care for patients and their families.

Supports, and is responsible for incorporating into job performance, the Frederick Health (FH) mission, vision, core values and customer service philosophy and adheres to the FH Compliance Program, including following all regulatory requirements, and the FH Standards of Behavior

Example of Essential Functions

• Assures that standards of care and clinical practice are established, consistent with national, regional and FH standards, and are routinely updated and consistently practiced.
• Collaborates with Director in the development of a staffing plan to provide patient care 24 hours/day, seven days/week.
• Develops, reviews and revises clinical policies and procedures.
• Monitors compliance with, and enforces clinical policy and procedure.
• Assures that all patient care issues with patients, families, staff, and physicians have been addressed appropriately.
• Interviews and hires staff in collaboration with representatives from Department of Human Resources. 
• Coaches, counsels, mentors, and evaluates charge nurses.  Assures that staff evaluations are complete. 
• Monitors and follows up appropriately with employees regarding work performance.
• Provides for the development of the staffing schedule for the assigned department.  Forecasts scheduling deficits and implements corrective action as necessary.
• Assures time and attendance records are completed for payroll.
• Disciplines and terminates department staff in collaboration with the Director and Human Resources.
• In collaboration with health system Education & Training, plans for effective student clinical affiliations. 
• Creates department environment conducive to future recruitment of students.
• Provides for effective orientation of new employees.  Arranges an orientation schedule for preceptors/preceptees.
• Plans, implements and evaluates strategies for the retention of staff, including but not limited to, regular feedback from staff, individual retention plans, and involvement of staff in problem solving and improving the unit work environment.
• Assures that an individual growth and development plan is devised, implemented and monitored for each staff member.
• Plans for and requests resources to support the training and development of staff.
• Plans for staff training, educational reviews, certifications and recertifications as required in area of specialty.
• Monitors productivity, justifies variances, and acts on any issues identified.
• Actively engages in departmental efforts to promote retention of staff and provide for a high level of employee morale.
• Participates in the development of the capital, operating, and manpower budgets by providing necessary feedback to the Director.
• Participates in identifying cost reduction efforts for the department through collaboration with Medical Staff, department staff, and other FH departmental managers.
• Monitors budget activity and identifies any discrepancies.  Provides justification for any variances.
• Participates with directors, managers, teams, and committees as needed regarding the development, implementation, and monitoring of procedures, programs and policies affecting the specialty.
• Meets routinely with other FH department personnel to assess the effectiveness of interdepartmental processes, procedures and outcomes.
• Maintains effective communications with the healthcare team, committees and administration, as appropriate.
• Serves on system-wide committees and project teams as required and appropriate.
• Attends management meetings and communicates outcomes to staff and physicians as appropriate.
• Identifies opportunities for improvement within the department while working within the FH PI process.  Participates in system–wide PI projects.
• Assures that staff are actively involved in quality and process improvement initiatives.
• Provides for the monitoring of quality indicators and the department program to ensure that quality and processes are improved.
• Maintains 34 continuing education hours per year in addition to the health system mandatory education requirements.
• Searches for opportunities to expand skills in leadership.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of growth and development of staff, cultural diversity, performance improvement and performance management.
• Understanding of legalities in interviewing, hiring and disciplining staff.
• Ability to develop strong collaborative working relationships.
• Excellent communications skills – both oral and written.
• Knowledge of budget planning and strategic planning.

Minimum Education, Training, and Experience Required

• Currently licensed as a registered nurse in the State of Maryland required.
• Current CPR certification required.
• Clinical nursing and management experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing required; Masters strongly preferred
• Additional business courses or related field preferred.
• Specialty certification preferred.

Patient Contact

Must demonstrate and maintain current knowledge and skills in providing appropriate care/contact for patients in the following age groups:

•                       Neonate (0 thru 30 days)
•                       Infant (31 thru 12 months)
•                       Child (13 months thru 12 years)
•                       Adolescent (13 years thru 17 years)
•                       Adult (18 years thru 65 years)
•                       Geriatric (66+ years)
•                      Performance of job does not require patient contact

Physical Demands:

Medium-Heavy Work - Lifting up to 50 pounds on an infrequent basis (less than one lift every three minutes) and/or carrying up to 35 pounds while walking.  Pushing or pulling up to 115 pounds infrequently or greater than 115 pounds occasionally (no more than once per hour).

Ergonomic Risk Factors:

Repetition:  Repeating the same motion over and over again places stress on the muscles and tendons.  The severity of risk depends on how often the action is repeated, the speed of the movement, the required force and muscles involved.

Awkward Posture:  Posture is the position your body is in and its effect on the muscle groups that are involved in the physical activity.  Awkward postures include repeated or prolonged reaching, twisting, bending, kneeling, squatting, working overhead with your hands or arms, or holding fixed positions. 

Working Conditions:

1. Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Risk:  Category A – WILL have exposure to blood or body fluids.

Reporting Relationship:

Reports to the Director, Perioperative Services